Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama joined U2 frontman Bono on Monday to console USAID employees and take some final shots at President Donald Trump after the agency was shut down over fraud and mismanagement

Former Presidents George W

“Gutting USAID is a travesty, and it’s a tragedy,” Obama said in a video message to outgoing staff, The New York Post reported. “Because it’s some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world.”

He called the move “a colossal mistake” and added, “Sooner or later, leaders on both sides of the aisle will realize how much you are needed.”

Bush, Obama, and Bono all appeared via videoconference to speak directly to USAID staff as the agency was officially shuttered following a federal probe into corruption and abuse. Media were not present, but clips from the event were reviewed by the Associated Press.

USAID, founded under the Kennedy administration, was created to provide foreign economic aid. But earlier this year, it became one of the first targets of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which was established by President Trump to root out government waste. Then-DOGE head Elon Musk slammed the agency as “a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America.”

USAID was officially absorbed by the State Department on Tuesday.

In a rare public rebuke, Bush, who has largely avoided criticizing Trump, said the closure ends a major piece of his presidency—the AIDS and HIV relief initiative that is credited with saving 25 million lives around the world.

I think it is, and so do you.”

“You’ve showed the great strength of America through your work—and that is your good heart,” Bush told the staff. “Is it in our national interests that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is, and so do you.”

Bono read a poem he wrote to mark the end of the agency, claiming it would lead to widespread suffering.

“They called you crooks. When you were the best of us,” he said.

The Associated Press said Bono and Obama were emotional in their remarks, and Bush stayed focused on legacy. Fox News Digital reached out to both former presidents’ offices but did not receive a response.

Bono already claimed that cutting USAID would lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths. In 2016, he slammed Trump as “potentially the worst idea that ever happened to America.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who served as USAID’s acting administrator in its final weeks, announced the State Department would take over all foreign aid functions moving forward.

“Beyond creating a globe-spanning NGO industrial complex at taxpayer expense, USAID has little to show since the end of the Cold War,” Rubio said in his announcement.

Development objectives have rarely been met, instability has often worsened, and anti American sentiment has

“Development objectives have rarely been met, instability has often worsened, and anti-American sentiment has only grown.”

“This era of government-sanctioned inefficiency has officially come to an end,” he added. “Under the Trump Administration, we will finally have a foreign funding mission in America that prioritizes our national interests.”

He said that as of July 1, USAID “will officially cease to implement foreign assistance.”

“Foreign assistance programs that align with administration policies—and which advance American interests—will be administered by the State Department, where they will be delivered with more accountability, strategy, and efficiency.”

USAID’s closure comes after DOGE led the charge in early 2025 to root out federal waste. Trump has praised DOGE repeatedly, including during a March address to Congress where he celebrated $22 billion in identified waste, including massive spending at USAID.

“Forty-five million dollars for diversity, equity and inclusion scholarships in Burma,” Trump said, listing examples. “Forty million to improve the social and economic inclusion of sedentary migrants. Nobody knows what that is.

“Eight million to promote LGBTQI+ in the African nation of Lesotho, which nobody has ever heard of. Sixty million dollars for indigenous peoples and Afro-Colombian empowerment in Central America. Sixty million. Eight million for making mice transgender,” he added.

😭Joe Biden’s daughter has broken her silence: ‘My dad used to…

NEWS May 30, 2026 Trends7News

She said that weeks after her dad purchased the firearm, she borrowed his truck to drive from New York to Washington and that the vehicle was in good shape, and she did not notice any drug paraphernalia or evidence that drugs had been used in the truck. The testimony contradicted that of Hallie Biden, Hunter’s ex-girlfriend and ex-sister-in-law, who said the car was full of drug paraphernalia and trash when she visited him around the same time. On cross-examination, however, Naomi did admit that she received an unusual text message from her dad around five days after he purchased the weapon, around Oct. 17, 2018, The Washington Times reported: in Manhattan to swap cars In the text messages, Hunter Biden asked her if her now-husband could bring the truck to 57th and 5th Ave. in Manhattan to swap cars. “Right now?” she responded. Prosecutor Leo Wise asked if she knew what her father was doing at two o’clock in the morning or why it was so important to swap cars at that moment. No,” Naomi Biden replied, adding that her dad still “seemed good” and she was “hopeful.” “No,” Naomi Biden replied, adding that her dad still “seemed good” and she was “hopeful.” “I’m really sorry dad I can’t take this,” she wrote in a later text to Hunter Biden in October 2018. She was trying to “hang out” with her dad in New York, but he had been unreachable. Hunter Biden later replied, apologizing for not being available.

Courtroom Confrontation During Trial

As the trial began, there was a confrontation near the courthouse that made news. The wife of Hunter Biden loudly confronted an ally of former President Donald Trump outside the Delaware courtroom where the first son’s trial for allegedly lying on a federal gun background check form is taking place The wife of Hunter Biden loudly confronted an ally of former President Donald Trump outside the Delaware courtroom where the first son’s trial for allegedly lying on a federal gun background check form is taking place. Garrett Ziegler, who worked on trade policy in the White House, took part in a plot by Trump allies to make Hunter Biden, the son of Joe Biden, look bad in the final days of the 2020 election. In response, Hunter Biden sued Ziegler and the company he founded, Marco Polo, in September of last year. The lawsuit claimed that they violated state and federal laws by attempting to create a searchable online database containing 128,000 emails, NBC News reported.

During a break in the trial on Tuesday, Hunter’s wife, Melissa Cohen-Biden, saw Ziegler-who had also attended the previous day during jury selection-and confronted him During a break in the trial on Tuesday, Hunter’s wife, Melissa Cohen-Biden, saw Ziegler-who had also attended the previous day during jury selection-and confronted him. “You have no right to be here, you Nazi piece of s-!” she yelled before walking away. Eventually, she returned to her seat next to First Lady Jill Biden, who had also been attending the trial. Ziegler did not respond to Cohen-Biden’s meltdown.

Hunter Biden’s Laptop and Drug Addiction

NBC News noted further: Both the laptop and the gun charges have served to make public Hunter Biden’s longtime drug addiction and surfaced embarrassing episodes in his life Both the laptop and the gun charges have served to make public Hunter Biden’s longtime drug addiction and surfaced embarrassing episodes in his life. Trump and his GOP allies have repeatedly used the contents of the laptop to tie President Biden to his son’s shady foreign business deals. The contents of the laptop included one message that appeared to directly implicate the senior Biden – “10 percent for the big guy.” Former Biden business associate Tony Bobulinski has testified that the reference indeed meant Joe Biden and that Joe Biden was always aware of his son’s business deals, despite his repeated denials.

The laptop quickly became the subject of testimony in the trial. FBI agent Erica Jensen testified that the laptop was obtained via subpoena from the Delaware computer shop where it was abandoned in 2019. Prior to the 2020 election, the New York Post was the first to publish damning excerpts taken from the laptop. Those reports were quickly censored on social media, with the then-Twitter platform locking The Post’s account for weeks. Also, most other media outlets shunned the report, falsely claiming it was “Russian disinformation,” along with some 50 then-current and retired intelligence community officials, some of whom are now paid consultants for some of the same media outlets.

BREAKING 🚨 JUST 30 MINUTES AGO IN WASHINGTON,D.C— MELANIA TRUMP HAS BEEN CONFIRMED.

BREAKING 🚨 JUST 30 MINUTES AGO IN WASHINGTON, D.C. — MELANIA TRUMP CONFIRMED IN MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Political observers and social media users alike are reacting after a major announcement involving Melania Trump captured national attention earlier today.

The development, which emerged from Washington just moments ago, quickly became one of the most discussed topics online as supporters, commentators, and political analysts rushed to understand its significance.

What initially appeared to be an ordinary day in the nation's capital suddenly turned into a major news story as reports began circulating regarding the announcement.

Within minutes, reactions spread across social media platforms.

Supporters expressed excitement, while others waited for additional details and official statements. News organizations and political commentators immediately began discussing what the announcement could mean and why it was attracting so much attention.

Melania Trump has remained one of the most recognizable public figures in America throughout her years in the national spotlight. As former First Lady, she drew attention for her public appearances, charitable initiatives, and role during one of the most closely watched administrations in modern history.

Because of that visibility, any significant news involving her tends to generate widespread interest.

Political analysts noted that public interest surrounding the Trump family remains remarkably strong, even years after leaving the White House. Developments involving President Donald Trump, Melania Trump, and other members of the family frequently become major discussion points across television, digital media, and social platforms.

"The public continues to follow developments involving the Trump family very closely," one political observer explained. "Announcements connected to them often generate immediate attention regardless of the specific topic."

As news of the announcement spread, speculation quickly followed.

Commentators debated potential political implications, while supporters and critics offered competing interpretations of what the development might represent. Online discussions expanded rapidly, with thousands of users sharing reactions and theories within hours.

Meanwhile, journalists worked to gather additional details as interest continued to grow.

Several media outlets reported a significant increase in online searches related to Melania Trump shortly after the announcement became public. Political forums and discussion groups were similarly active as users attempted to learn more about the situation.

Observers say the speed of the reaction highlights the continuing influence of major political figures in today's media environment.

A single announcement can now reach millions of people almost instantly, creating nationwide conversations within minutes.

As the story develops, many Americans will be watching closely for further updates and official information.

For now, one thing is certain: the announcement involving Melania Trump has captured attention across Washington and beyond, generating widespread discussion and renewed public interest.

Whether the long-term impact proves significant remains to be seen, but the reaction over the past few hours demonstrates that developments involving prominent national figures continue to resonate with audiences across the country.

More details are expected as the story continues to unfold.